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Legendary Imagineer Honored at Hollywood Studios

If you tried to define what a Disney Legend is, you’d have a hard time doing it without mentioning Bob Weis. His illustrious 42-year career at WED Enterprises (the Imagineering arm of the Walt Disney Company) garnered him prestige and even something of a celebrity status.

Bob weis

Credit: D23

Disney Legend status is a prestigious award granted to individuals who “have made an extraordinary and integral contribution to The Walt Disney Company” (think of it like a Disney Hall of Fame). Bafflingly, Bob Weis has not received this award (yet… We are still holding out hope). Of the individuals not yet inducted, only Joe Rhode is as high as Weis on our list of deserving people.

However, today Weis was honored in a different but meaningful way. When you think of Magic Kingdom, you think of Walt. When you think of EPCOT, you think of Marty Sklar. When you think of Animal Kingdom, you think of Joe Rohde. But when you think of Hollywood Studios? You think of Bob Weis.

Weis once explained that he and his team were initially tasked with building a Hollywood-themed pavilion at EPCOT but the idea grew and took on a life of its own. “As we explored ideas, it soon became apparent that this was bigger than just a pavilion — it could be an entire park,” he said. That is how Disney’s Hollywood Studios (then called Disney/MGM Studios) came to be.

Bob wies

Credit: Disney

As of today, a window hangs at Hollywood Studios bearing the name of the Imagineer it owes its existence to. You’ll find his window near the front entrance.

Windows have long since been a way Disney has honored those who have made a significant impact on the Parks. Just two days ago, to celebrate World Wish Day a new sort of window was displayed. Above the baby care center at Magic Kingdom now hang 3 windows honoring the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the children who began it all.

 

About Jill Bivins

Jill Bivins has been visiting Disney Parks since she was 2 years old and loves sharing her Disney adventures with the world. She likes to say Disney is in her blood and writing is in her bones — so any time she has the opportunity to combine these loves she is one happy camper! She has a deep abiding love for Epcot and as a die hard Star Wars fan has a serious love for Hollywood Studios as well. When she isn't exploring or writing about Disney Parks, Jill is homeschooling her 8 year old son, playing with her brand new baby son, or pretending to be a farmer on her family homestead (despite being unable to keep even a cactus alive). Find Jill on Instagram @minnieonmain.